Japanese Unique Yosakoi Dance Event in Harajuku, Omotesando, Tokyo

Hi, I’m Fumi.
Have you ever seen any festivals or events in Tokyo while you stay in Japan?

Especially, we have many events everywhere in summer season, so you happen to see some festivals in Tokyo.
I went to Harajuku to see Japanese unique traditional dance that is called “Yosakoi” in August 25.

Harajyuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri is a big Japanese style of dance festival in Tokyo.
That was my first time to see Yosakoi dance,so it made me excited! In this article, I share what I saw.

What’s Japanese traditional Yosakoi dance?

This dance looks energetic and original Yosakoi dance is mixed with modern music now.
Costumes are based on historical kimono, popular fashions, or ethnic ones.

A group of yosakoi dancers dance down a street, with naruko clappers and large flags waving.
But I saw teams that hadn’t small wooden clappers in their hands.
I think dancers who dance the traditional style of Yosakoi dance have small wooden clappers.

Because dancers who danced the original style of Yosakoi with modern music didn’t have small wooden clappers.
Now, Yosakoi becomes popular throughout Japan and Yosakoi festivals are held all over Japan.

Yosakoi is also known all over the world.
It’s performed in Malaysia and Vietnam.
Canada, USA has yosakoi teams at some of universities and you can learn how to dance in Europe too.

Where to go to see Harajuku Omotesando Yosakoi Dance Event?

You can see this super Yosakoi Matsuri at Yoyogi park, in front of Meiji Jingu shrine Torii and Jingu Kaikan mae for 2 days.
It’s easy to get there by JR train or Tokyo Metro.

If you get in JR train, you get off the Harajuku Station.
After you go through the gate, it takes a few minutes on foot.
If you get in Tokyo Metro, you get off the Meiji Jingumae station from exit 2.

You’ll arrive on the near bridge in front of Meiji Jingu shrine Torii.
You go straight on the bridge and turn right if you want to see the dance at Meiji JIngu Jinguu-kaikan.
On the other hand, turn left after you cross the bridge if you want to go to Yoyogi Park.

It takes within 10 minutes on foot. In summer, it’s very hot and humid so you have to get bottles something to drink or paper fan.
Near the bridge, volunteers give you a paper fan that is printed Yosakoi dancers picture.

It’s very useful to prepare for the heat.
There are 2 places to see Yosakoi dance at Yoyogi park.

Near the entrance of the park, many dancers take a rest or have the last of their practice sessions while they wait for their performance.
So you’ll enjoy seeing performer’s unique and attractive various kinds of costumes.

Enjoy souvenir shops and eat Japanese street food in Yoyogi park

You’ll enjoy seeing souvenir and eat Japanese food at street food stans.
You can get small wooden clappers and you can experience to make small wooden clappers by yourselves.

You’ll find some of Yosakoi goods for example, T shirts, towels, Yosakoi music CDs and so on at shops.
Yosakoi wooden clappers are very unique and interesting Japanese souvenirs I think.

It’s probably useful to call somebody or pay attention without shouting, isn’t it? 🙂
Enjoy seeing one of Japanese unique style and traditional Yosakoi dance in Harajyuku, Omotesando in Tokyo.

If you want to know more about Harajyuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosako, you can check the official site.
【The official site, Harajyuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosako 2018 】https://www.super-yosakoi.tokyo/eng/